Zwan
| Company type | Supergroup |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Founder | Billy Corgan, Jimmy Chamberlin |
| Defunct | 2003 |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Zwan was an American alternative rock supergroup established in 2001 by lead guitarist and vocalist Billy Corgan alongside drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, both formerly of the Smashing Pumpkins. The ensemble featured bassist Paz Lenchantin (known for her work with A Perfect Circle) and guitarists David Pajo (from Slint) and Matt Sweeney (Chavez). They produced a single album, Mary Star of the Sea (2003), before dissolving acrimoniously amid their international tour.
Following Zwan’s dissolution, Corgan released a solo record titled TheFutureEmbrace and later revived the Smashing Pumpkins in 2005, with Chamberlin rejoining the lineup in 2006. Although reports suggested additional compositions by band members, no further albums were issued beyond their sole studio release. Corgan revisited Zwan's repertoire during a 2014 solo performance and a brief 2017 tour; in 2019, he presented "Honestly" and "Endless Summer" on his European shows.
Origins and Mary Star of the Sea (2001–2003)
After the Smashing Pumpkins disbanded, Corgan and drummer Chamberlin joined forces with Matt Sweeney (previously of Chavez and Skunk) to create Zwan. Corgan had known Sweeney for some time, acknowledging him in the liner notes of the Smashing Pumpkins' Siamese Dream. Following auditions—including bassist Juan Alderete—Sweeney brought in guitarist David Pajo, notable for his work with Slint and other Drag City artists. Initially performing as a four-piece in late 2001, bassist Paz Lenchantin joined in 2002, prompting Pajo to switch to a third guitar role.
Zwan primarily functioned under the moniker True Poets of Zwan, featuring three guitarists alongside bass and drums; this formation recorded their only album, Mary Star of the Sea. The band merged the commercial appeal of the Smashing Pumpkins with Corgan’s artistic evolution during the early 2000s, reflecting a move toward more optimistic lyrics that paralleled his spiritual development.
An acoustic version named Djali Zwan, which included cellist Ana Lenchantin (Paz’s sister), intended to release a live-recorded album and documentary-style DVD in early 2004. Corgan described this project as "more folk-oriented," distinct from the electric band's limitations.
Additionally, Corgan collaborated with Linda Strawberry and Matt Sweeney on the soundtrack for Spun (2002), credited as The Djali Zwan.
Disbandment (2003)
On September 15, 2003, Billy Corgan declared Zwan’s breakup during an appearance on Chicago's WGN, attributing it to a lack of genuine familial loyalty. By August 2004, he openly criticized former members Pajo, Sweeney, and Lenchantin for valuing indie credibility over professionalism. He later revealed conflicts involving public indiscretions and personal betrayals throughout their recording sessions.
In May 2005, Corgan elaborated on internal struggles marked by substance abuse and mistrust, citing incidents such as unauthorized access to his BlackBerry device. He expressed strong disdain for Mary Star of the Sea, labeling it "thousands of lies," and firmly stated he would never reunite Zwan, contrasting this with his respect for former Smashing Pumpkins collaborators he deemed more honorable.
A decade later, Corgan’s perspective softened as he incorporated Zwan songs into his solo sets beginning in 2014 and included them during an acoustic Smashing Pumpkins tour in 2015. Material from Zwan also appeared during his 2017 solo album tour.
Reflecting in 2017, Matt Sweeney noted how the project evolved from a private collaboration into a public endeavor that altered their dynamic; confidentiality agreements limited his ability to comment freely. Meanwhile, David Pajo maintained a critical stance toward the band as of that year.
Musical style
Zwan's only album was characterized as a streamlined example of American alternative rock featuring expansive choruses that invigorate listeners. The group’s musical approach tended toward accessible pop rock, echoing the "sweetened pop" elements found in the later works of Smashing Pumpkins. Their compositions diverged from the darker mood typical of the Pumpkins, instead offering a "vibrant burst of melodic guitar-driven rock." Additionally identified as power pop, the ensemble integrated guitarist David Pajo's signature post-rock soundscapes.
Band members
- Jimmy Chamberlin – drums (2001–2003)
- Billy Corgan – guitar, lead vocals (2001–2003)
- David Pajo – bass guitar (2001–2002), guitar (2002–2003)
- Matt Sweeney – guitar, backing vocals (2001–2003)
- Paz Lenchantin – bass guitar, backing vocals (2002–2003)
Studio albums
| Title | Album information | Highest chart positions | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | AUS | CAN | GER | IRL | ITA | NLD | NZ | SWE | UK | ||
| Mary Star of the Sea |
|
3 | 6 | 4 | 17 | 10 | 14 | 30 | 10 | 17 | 33 |
Singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart rankings | Album | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Bub. |
US Alt. |
AUS | CAN | GER | IRL | ITA | NLD | SWE | UK | |||||
| "Honestly" | 2002 | 3 | 7 | 26 | 17 | 86 | 42 | 18 | 92 | 35 | 28 | Mary Star of the Sea | ||
| "Lyric" | 2003 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 44 | |||
| "—" indicates that the single did not chart or was not released in that region. | ||||||||||||||
External links
- Zwan archive available at the Internet Archive's live music collection